Union with Christ: The Transformative Power of Salvation

 

Summary

In this evening's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of our union with Christ as articulated in Romans 6:3. This passage is pivotal in understanding the Christian doctrine of salvation, emphasizing that believers are baptized into Jesus Christ and, consequently, into His death. This union with Christ is not merely symbolic or ritualistic but a deep spiritual reality that transforms our identity and existence. The Apostle Paul refutes the notion that grace encourages sin by asserting that believers have died to sin through their union with Christ. This death to sin is not a mere metaphor but a fundamental change in our spiritual status.

The sermon explores various interpretations of baptism mentioned in the passage, ultimately rejecting the idea that it refers to water baptism or any physical act. Instead, it is the baptism by the Holy Spirit that unites us with Christ, incorporating us into His body. This spiritual baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit, who regenerates us and places us in Christ, making us part of His death, burial, and resurrection. This union is not an experience but a status, a condition that defines our new life in Christ.

Understanding this union is crucial for every believer, as it assures us of our salvation and the transformative power of being in Christ. It is not a doctrine reserved for the spiritually elite but a fundamental truth for all Christians. This union with Christ is the source of all spiritual blessings and the guarantee of our final redemption. As we grasp this truth, we are called to live in the reality of our new identity, experiencing the fullness of life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Union with Christ: Our union with Christ is a profound spiritual reality that defines our identity as believers. It is through this union that we have died to sin and are made alive in Christ. This union is not a mere symbolic act but a transformative spiritual truth that assures us of our salvation and empowers us to live a new life. [03:27]

- Baptism by the Spirit: The baptism mentioned in Romans 6:3 is not about water baptism but the baptism by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual baptism incorporates us into the body of Christ, uniting us with Him in His death and resurrection. It is a work of the Spirit that changes our spiritual status and identity. [26:16]

- Beyond Experience: The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our union with Christ is not based on our experience or understanding but on the spiritual reality accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This truth is foundational for all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity or experience. [39:19]

- Complete in Christ: Being united with Christ means that we are complete in Him. We are not only justified but also sanctified and redeemed in Christ. This completeness is not something we achieve through our efforts but a reality we live out as we grow in our understanding and experience of this union. [42:51]

- Evangelism and Union: True evangelism involves presenting the full scope of salvation, including our union with Christ. It is not just about forgiveness or justification but about being taken out of Adam and placed in Christ. This union is the basis for all the blessings and promises of the gospel. [36:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Romans 6:3
- [00:36] - The Question of Sin and Grace
- [01:17] - Dying to Sin
- [02:18] - Union with Christ in Romans 5
- [03:27] - Doctrine of Union with Christ
- [05:06] - Misunderstandings of Baptism
- [07:01] - Sacramental Interpretation
- [09:02] - Baptismal Vows and Influence
- [12:25] - Symbolic Representation
- [17:33] - Spiritual Reality of Baptism
- [23:40] - Baptism by the Spirit
- [30:51] - Importance of Union with Christ
- [36:23] - Evangelism and Union
- [42:51] - Completeness in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:3
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Galatians 2:20

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 6:3, what does it mean to be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death? How does this relate to the concept of dying to sin? [01:17]

2. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, what role does the Holy Spirit play in our union with Christ? How does this differ from the concept of water baptism? [26:16]

3. How does the sermon describe the Apostle Paul's view on the significance of baptism in relation to our union with Christ? [21:31]

4. What does Galatians 2:20 reveal about the believer's life in relation to Christ's life? How is this connected to the idea of being crucified with Christ? [28:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between water baptism and the baptism by the Holy Spirit? Why is this distinction important for understanding our union with Christ? [27:09]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the completeness of our union with Christ? How does this completeness impact our understanding of salvation? [42:51]

3. How does the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans 6:3 challenge the notion that grace encourages sin? What implications does this have for a believer's lifestyle? [01:17]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding our union with Christ is foundational for all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity? [04:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of baptism. How has this sermon challenged or affirmed your views on the role of baptism in your spiritual life? [21:31]

2. The sermon emphasizes that our union with Christ is not based on experience but on a spiritual reality. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily walk with God? [39:19]

3. Consider the idea that being united with Christ means being complete in Him. How does this understanding affect your approach to spiritual growth and maturity? [42:51]

4. The sermon suggests that true evangelism involves presenting the full scope of salvation, including our union with Christ. How can you incorporate this understanding into your conversations about faith with others? [36:23]

5. How does the concept of being "crucified with Christ" influence your perspective on personal struggles and challenges? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth? [28:30]

6. Reflect on the notion that our union with Christ assures us of our salvation. How does this assurance impact your confidence in sharing your faith with others? [04:51]

7. The sermon calls believers to live in the reality of their new identity in Christ. What specific changes can you make in your life to align more closely with this new identity? [43:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Union with Christ as a Transformative Reality
Our union with Christ is a profound spiritual reality that fundamentally transforms our identity as believers. This union is not merely symbolic or ritualistic but a deep spiritual truth that assures us of our salvation and empowers us to live a new life. Through this union, we have died to sin and are made alive in Christ, experiencing a fundamental change in our spiritual status. This transformation is not based on our efforts but is a work of the Holy Spirit, who regenerates us and places us in Christ. As we embrace this truth, we are called to live in the reality of our new identity, experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. [03:27]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your new identity in Christ today, knowing that your life is hidden with Him?


Day 2: Baptism by the Spirit as Our New Identity
The baptism mentioned in Romans 6:3 is not about water baptism but the baptism by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual baptism incorporates us into the body of Christ, uniting us with Him in His death and resurrection. It is a work of the Spirit that changes our spiritual status and identity, making us part of His body. This baptism is not an experience but a status, a condition that defines our new life in Christ. Understanding this truth assures us of our salvation and the transformative power of being in Christ. [26:16]

1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV): "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

Reflection: How does knowing that you are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ change the way you view your relationship with other believers?


Day 3: Spiritual Reality Beyond Personal Experience
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our union with Christ is not based on our experience or understanding but on the spiritual reality accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This truth is foundational for all believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity or experience. It assures us that our salvation and identity in Christ are secure, not because of what we feel or understand, but because of what the Spirit has accomplished. This understanding calls us to trust in the spiritual realities of our faith, even when our experiences or feelings may not align. [39:19]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more in the spiritual realities of your faith rather than your personal experiences or feelings?


Day 4: Completeness in Christ as Our Spiritual Foundation
Being united with Christ means that we are complete in Him. We are not only justified but also sanctified and redeemed in Christ. This completeness is not something we achieve through our efforts but a reality we live out as we grow in our understanding and experience of this union. It is the foundation of our spiritual life, providing us with all the spiritual blessings and the assurance of our final redemption. As we grasp this truth, we are called to live in the fullness of our identity in Christ, experiencing the transformative power of His presence in our lives. [42:51]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to live out the completeness you have in Christ in your daily life?


Day 5: Evangelism Rooted in Our Union with Christ
True evangelism involves presenting the full scope of salvation, including our union with Christ. It is not just about forgiveness or justification but about being taken out of Adam and placed in Christ. This union is the basis for all the blessings and promises of the gospel. As we share the gospel, we are called to communicate the transformative power of being in Christ, inviting others to experience the fullness of life that comes from this union. Understanding this truth empowers us to share the gospel with confidence and clarity, knowing that it is the power of God for salvation. [36:23]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the truth of our union with Christ into your conversations about the gospel with others this week?

Quotes


I say that there is nothing perhaps in the whole range and realm of Doctrine which if properly grasped and understood gives greater Assurance greater comfort and Greater Hope than this doctrine of our Union with Christ but indeed as we shall see if we are not clear about this Doctrine we are missing in a sense what is one of the pivotal aspects of the whole doctrine of salvation. [00:04:30]

The teaching of the New Testament is that the people who are to be baptized are those who have already given evidence that they are regenerate it is believers who are baptized in the New Testament so it isn't the act of of baptism that makes them Believers it is because they are believers or are presumed to be Believers that they are baptized. [00:09:02]

What is being emphasized here is not anything that I do as a believer it is what has happened to me that incorporates me into Christ and joins me to Christ the doctrine is the doctrine of my union with Christ not something that I may do or not do well there there is the second view then others say that it means this that this baptism means that we are baptized into the sphere of Christ's influence. [00:12:25]

We are united to Christ we are in Christ we are parts of Christ as we were in Adam we are in Christ not merely influence but a union a spiritual union so that that explanation I suggest again is inadequate so we come to the fourth Prophet explanation which says that what baptism means is that we are baptized and it is a sign of our belief in the redeeming and saving efficacy of the death of Christ as a propitiation for our sins. [00:15:00]

The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ is it is a baptism by the Holy Spirit I'm not saying baptism with the spirit I am saying baptism by the spirit it is the spirit that baptizes us into the body that joins us to Christ it is this wonderful mystical action of the spirit. [00:26:16]

This is the great thing in Salvation we are not only Justified we are not only forgiven in a sense as I said at the beginning the most glorious aspect of Salvation is this that I am in Christ and Christ is in me this Union and we must never fail to realize that I therefore venture to say once more is it anything but a tragedy that preoccupation with modes and forms of baptism as we read these two verses should have blinded us to that greater truth. [00:31:00]

The Apostle is not dealing with experience at this point he comes on to that later what he's dealing with here is something that has happened to us something that is true of us it is the action of the Holy Spirit upon us we may not be aware of it as we ought to be the Apostle clearly is suggesting that there were certain Christians in Rome who are not clear about this as they should be as I'm indicating there are still people like that today. [00:39:19]

There are only two positions we are either everyone of us in Adam or else we are in Christ there is no middle position you can't be a saved Man without being joined to Christ without being in Christ there is no middle position there is no sort of beginning and then you go on to something else all of us every one of us so many of us have in this way been baptized into Christ. [00:40:00]

We are not baptized into parts of him or aspects of the truth concerning him we are the baptized into Jesus Christ the whole of him Paul puts that in writing the first epistle to the Corinthians 1:3 in this way but of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and Redemption. [00:42:51]

If you're in him all that is true of him is true of you you'll realize it progressively but it's true now it's the guarantee of your final complete Redemption of your being delivered of every spot or wrinkle or any such thing Christ is my sanctification now if I die at this moment I am Sanctified in him as I'm justified in him as I'm glor he is all this to me I am baptized into Jesus Christ. [00:44:00]

All that is in Christ Christ and true of him in his relationship to redeem is mine because I'm in him and all that he has done and has accomplished becomes mine as all that Adam did and accomplished became mine that's the doctrine we've worked it out in detail at Great length from chapter 5: 10 until this moment and the apostles going on with it and you see it's vital to what falls it is because I am in Christ that I'm in his death in his resurrection in his life in everything. [00:45:00]

If we haven't grasped this we must find everything else difficult but if you've got this key well the rest follows as the night the day inevitably and really shouldn't detain us at much length well God willing we'll go out we'll go on next Friday evening to work out the way the Apostle deduces things from this primary central fundamental statement. [00:46:00]

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Transcript
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